June 2014 Real Estate Market Reports

Sales Down.Inventory UP. Selection UP. Home Values UP.

All of our Market Reports, The Woodlands, Magnolia and Spring, are HERE. I encourage you to share this news with your friends in real life and Facebook. Credibility + Visibility = Profitability.

Thanks for all you do.

Sales Catch A Breath.

300 reported sales for May 2014. 360 reported sales for May 2013. While down from last years May frenzy, overall sales activity remains solid and positive.

Prime properties marketed properly still attract multiple offer competition resulting in list or over list sales prices. In May one in three properties SOLD in seven days or less, one in ten SOLD in one day or less. Unprepared or poorly marketed properties are taking longer to sell.

Rising values may have some impact on the fewer number of sales. The lease expensive home for sale in The Woodlands today is $149,000 and the most expensive is $16,800,000.

Prices Are Up.

Corporate relocation, traditional action, construction and other unstoppable economic factors will continue to press activity, opportunity and prices skyward. The only bad news is delaying a move upward in price will be expensive.

The Best Selection in 21 Months

Inventory is improving. More selection is a positive.

Thoughts For Sellers

It’s a opportune market for today’s sellers. In fact anyone can sell almost any property these days. But getting a your property SOLD and getting it sold for the Highest Possible Price and the Most Favorable terms is the goal. This is the market to leverage your opportunity. There is a difference. Take look.

Sold Price To List Price Percentage All Price Ranges.

Sold Price To List Price Percentage – Above $500,000.

Sold Price To List Price Percentage – Above $1,000,000.

If we can be helpful let us know – Ken Brand – 832-797-1779

Thoughts For Buyers.

Here are 3 tips for finding the best property for you and yours.

TIP #1: FIRST-TO-KNOW LIGHTNING ALERTS

When selection is thin and swift selling, being the First-To-Know about hot new inventory is an advantage for you.

Here’s how First-To-Know Lightning Alerts work. Tell us everything you’re looking for in your new home (style, design, location, amenities, schools, etc.). We condense your needs into a concise Buyer-Needs profile (protecting your identity and private information) and program our software to match your buyer-needs to fire off an instant alert heartbeats after it appears on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Here’s how Pocket Listings work. Prior to mass marketing via the MLS, Pocket Listings are privately promoted by the listing agent to a network of select agents via email broadcast, text message, phone calls and personal conversations. When a match is made private viewing appointments are conveniently coordinated , offers are negotiated, contracts are signed, escrow opened and everyone proceeds smiling to closing. Welcome to the neighborhood.:-)

Using First-To-Know-Lightning Alerts and plugging yourself into the Coming Soon and Pocket Listings property information network will help you find out about hot new listings inventory before your less informed and unconnected home buying competitors.

If you’d like more information about how to tap into the Pocket Listing agent network contact your favorite Gary Greene agent directly or call them at the office: 281-367-3531.

TIP #3: BUYER-NEEDS NETWORK STRATEGY

This strategy is sort of like the Pocket Listing Strategy for sellers, except it works for Buyers. Do you see a pattern developing? One of the keys to your success is tapping into a pool of available inventory that is unknown to the disconnected.

Using the Lightning Alert and Buyer-Needs Network Strategies will help you find out about hot new listings inventory before your less informed and unconnected home buying competitors.

To discuss how to get started and tap into insider information, contact your trusted Gary Greene agent directly or call them at the office: 281-367-3531.

Here are 5 Tips On How To Write a Winning Offer.

Congratulations. Now that you’ve found the best property for you and yours, you’ve won half the battle. The next challenge to be conquered is submitting a winning offer. We’ve helped thousands of buyers win in multiple offers and other competitive situations. As a result, we know what works and what flops. Here’s a list of proven tips to help you and yours write a winning offer.

When you find your dream home don’t hem-haw. Be a bullet. Squeeze the trigger and submit your offer swiftly before competing buyers snatches it from your grasp.

TIP #3: DON’T GO FOR THE STEAL! SEAL YOUR DEAL.

Full price and over list price offers are common in this seller’s market. Don’t be embarrassed to offer full price or more when necessary. Keep in mind; your mortgage company will complete a property value appraisal. If the property doesn’t appraise for the contract price you can always bail or renegotiate.

TIP #4: STAND OUT.

Sweeten the terms of your offer without paying more. Here’s how:

Offer a larger down payment.

Make a bigger earnest money deposit.

Amp up the Option Fee.

Shorten trigger point deadlines and exit clauses for things like the Option Period and days for financing approval.

Provide the seller with written mortgage pre-approval from your lender.

Include a flexible and seller friendly closing date.

Consider a possible seller lease back.

Share a personal letter to the seller sharing a little bit about yourself and your situation sometimes helps the seller choose one bidding buyers offer over the other.

TIP #5: REPAIR REALITIES.

After your contract is executed you’ll have an opportunity to have the property inspected. Because you’re not buying a brand new home it’s common to turn up a long or short list of items that aren’t perfect. Understand that in a seller’s market a seller is less inclined to pay for the repair of cosmetic items. Have your agent get a bid on the inspection items you’d like to have completed. If the seller won’t pay for them don’t get angry or take your eyes off your prize, your real estate agent will have the names and numbers of reputable repair and home improve- ment people who can get the job done for you fast and afford- ably. Don’t lose out because the seller won’t make the property perfect or spend a few hundred dollars in cosmetic type repairs. If you like it, own it.

The bottom line for buyers: Use these tips and you’ll success- fully navigate seller’s market realities with a smile and success. Good luck, speed and grace. If we can be helpful contact one of our Pro agents directly or call 281-367-3531.

Linsey Ehle

Linsey is the Career Development Coach at Better Homes & Gardens|Gary Greene in The Woodlands and Magnolia markets. Previously a broker/owner in Southern California, as well as a coach for Tom Ferry, Linsey is here to support the careers of both new and seasoned agents. Whether the goal is to launch a successful real estate career, increase production, or help agents create efficiencies, Linsey is committed to helping the Gary Greene team achieve their individual objectives.